A wind shift puts you ahead on the first beat. Do you tack and cross in front of your rival now, or hold on for more?
Tack and cross. Ahead on paper is not ahead until you have crossed your rival. In the scene one Blue tacks straight away and crosses Yellow more than two lengths clear; the other holds on and is four lengths ahead, but only on paper. When the wind swings back, the first Blue finishes four lengths ahead of Yellow and the second is three lengths behind her: seven lengths from one decision. The further you split, the more the next shift can take back. Bank it, then stay between your rival and the mark.
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<p><a href="https://sailing.kiwi.nz/v/NTuA45DZmho/">Source: Sailing Kiwi</a></p>Go deeper: books and gear
- Tactics Made Simple by Jon Emmett — Racing tactics, explained simply.
- Racing Rules Companion 2025-2028 by Bryan Willis — Spiral-bound pocket guide to the current rules.
- Five Oceans masthead wind indicator — See the wind direction at a glance.
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